Merry Christmas and happy holidays from the NT News

CHRISTMAS is a wonderful time of year to spend with our families and friends

CHRISTMAS is a wonderful time of year to spend with our families and friends.

But given the year we’ve had, this Christmas will be different for many people who will remain separated from their loved ones because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

More Territorians are choosing to stay home this Christmas because the risk of them being stranded interstate is higher than any year before.

MORE NT NEWS EDITORIALS

Get over it, Eddie’s new hosting duty isn’t controversial

Pat on the back for all Territorians

Editorial: Cruel call for Darwin-bound passengers

This Christmas is also time to reflect on the year that was, and try and focus on the positives. It’s been a taxing year for Territorians, but our spirit has shone through, and we’ve been extremely lucky to have had zero cases of community transmission.

When you see what’s happening in New South Wales and around the world in places such as the United States and United Kingdom, we can be thankful for being the safest place in Australia — if not the world.

Given the pandemic has had a huge economic impact on tens of thousands of Territorians, the cash reserves to buy presents might be limited this year.

NT NEWS sizzling new deal: Get all your news for just $5 a month

But the gift of giving a smile or wishing a stranger a Merry Christmas can bring as much joy as giving a present.

One thing we hope 2020 has done is made people more kind and made us think how lucky we were prior to the pandemic to enjoy the freedoms we had.

They are freedoms we will get back one day but, for now, enjoy a wonderful Christmas Day.